Canadians Foo, Kerfoot Still in Hunt for Hobey Baker

Spencer Foo of the Union College Dutchmen (L) and Alexander Kerfoot of
Harvard Crimson (R) are the two Canadians on the list of 10 finalists
for the 2017 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the top player in NCAA
Division 1 men's hockey. (Foo: Courtesy of Union Athletics,
Kerfoot: Gil Talbot photo)

A pair of Canadians remain in the hunt for the 2017 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as top player in NCAA Division 1 men's hockey.

The initial field of more than 60 nominees was reduced to 10 hopefuls
on March 16 and that grouping included Union College Dutchmen junior
forward Spencer Foo from Edmonton, Alta. and Harvard Crimson senior
forward Alexander Kerfoot from West Vancouver, B.C.

Foo and linemate Mike Vecchione both made the 10-player field and were the only teammates on that list.

Foo led the entire nation in plus-minus rating with a plus-31 and
game-winning points with 15. He finished fourth in the nation in scoring
with 59 points (24G, 35A) in 36 games while Vecchione placed third in
scoring with 62 points (29G, 33A).

The Edmonton native, who is also in the running for the ECAC Hockey
player-of-the-year award, has tallied 47 goals and added 62 assists for
109 points in his first three years with the Dutchmen.

He honed his skills prior to heading south of the border by playing
two seasons with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the AJHL. In 115 junior
games, Foo racked up 97 points (53G, 44A).

Kerfoot, who is also a finalist for the ECAC Hockey
player-of-the-year award, led Harvard in scoring this season with 40
points (16G, 24A) in 31 starts.

The West Vancouver native, who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils
in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, has
tallied 118 points (36G, 82A) during his four seasons at Harvard. He
played parts of three seasons with the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL
before beginning his NCAA career. He played in 72 junior games and
finished with 86 points.

Kerfoot is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Jimmy
Vesey who captured the Hobey in 2016 and now stars for the NHL's New
York Rangers.

The last time a Canadian won the award was in 2007. That season,
Calgary, Alta. native Ryan Duncan of the University of North Dakota took
home the prize.

The other players making the top-10 list were: NCAA scoring champion
Zach Aston-Reese, a senior forward with Northeastern Huskies (signed
this past week as a free agent by the defending Stanley Cup champion
Pittsburgh Penguins), junior goaltender Michael Bitzer of Bemidji State
Beavers, junior forward Anders Bjork of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish,
senior defenceman Will Butcher of the Denver Pioneers, senior forward
Tyler Kelleher of the New Hampshire Wildcats and sophomore forward Tyler
Sheehy of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Three finalists from the field of 10, known as the Hobey Baker Hat
Trick, will be announced on March 30 and then a 27-member selection
committee will determine this year's winner which will be announced on
Friday, April 7 during the Frozen Four in Chicago.

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